New Trustee Handbook Issued

Every public library trustee and director in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts recently received a copy of the new 2000 Edition of the Massachusetts Public Library Trustee Handbook. Contained in a three-ring binder of more than 200 pages, the handbook contains chapters on

Becoming a Trustee

Board Organization

Legal Responsibilities

Policy Making

Planning

Library Personnel

Budgeting and Financial Management

Fundraising

Advocacy

Friends and Volunteers

Technology

Construction and Renovation

Massachusetts Public Library Service

Continuing Education/Library Associations

For the past two years a committee, appointed by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC), and consisting of Commissioners and staff, representatives of the Massachusetts Library Trustee Association (MLTA), public library trustees, library directors and regional library staff, has worked diligently on this handbook.

During November and December 2000, a series of Trustee Handbook Orientations was held throughout the state with more than 225 people attending. Trustee orientations were held at the Ayer Public Library, Berkshire Athenaeum in Pittsfield, Billerica Public Library, Eldredge Public Library in Chatham, Greenfield Public Library, Palmer Public Library, Weston Public Library, West Branch Library in Brockton, and the Wrentham Public Library.

"The purpose of these Trustee Handbook Orientations was to call attention to the publication of the revised trustee handbook," says Maureen Killoran, head of the MBLC's Public Library Advisory Unit/Government Liaison. MBLC commissioners and staff, representatives of MLTA and members of the Trustee Handbook Committee made presentations on the following areas: history and process of the handbook, role of trustees, personnel, planning, advocacy, MBLC reference library services, use of the handbook and important up-coming events for trustees.

For more information about the Massachusetts Public Library Trustees Handbook, contact Sharon Zitser, Public Library Advisory Unit Assistant, at sharon.zitser@state.ma.us.

The Board of Library Commissioners (mass.gov/mblc) is the agency of state government with the statutory authority and responsibility to organize, develop, coordinate and improve library services throughout the Commonwealth. The Board advises municipalities and library trustees on the operation and maintenance of public libraries, including construction and renovation. It administers state and federal grant programs for libraries and promotes cooperation among all types of libraries through regional library systems and automated resource sharing. It also works to ensure that all residents of the Commonwealth, regardless of their geographic location, social or economic status, age, level of physical or intellectual ability or cultural background, have access to essential new electronic information technologies and significant electronic databases.

This Web site, and other programs of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, is funded in part with funds from theInstitute of Museum and Library Services, a federal agency that fosters innovation, leadership and a lifetime of learning.